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Meadow Fescue (Allergen Specific IgE)

Festuca pratensis, Meadow fescue (g4)

Test Codes

Antrim #31895, EPIC: LAB5664, SOFT: EMEF

Department

Special Testing Allergens

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube.

Twenty individual allergen assays or allergen screens can be performed on one 5 mL Gold-top SST tube. Each allergen assay requires 100 mcL of serum.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within two hours of collection.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

Plasma specimens.

Severely lipemic or hemolyzed specimens.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Room temperature is acceptable for a maximum of two hours.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Special Testing Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available the next business day.

Reference Range

Allergy Reference Range: Less than 0.35 kU/L. 

Range (kU/L)	Class	Interpretation
Less than or equal to 0.34	0	Negative
0.35-0.69	1	Low
0.70-3.49	2	Medium
3.50-17.49	3	High
17.50-49.99	4	Very High
50.0-100.0	5	Very High
Greater than 100	6	Very High

Test Methodology

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA).

Interpretation

The allergen class may not be predictive of clinical disease in some patients. The diagnosis of allergy should be based upon patient history and clinical findings. The diagnosis of allergy should not be based upon laboratory findings alone.

Clinical Utility

A positive test result (class 1 or greater) is indicative of the presence of allergen-specific IgE and suggests an increased likelihood of allergic disease.

Clinical Disease

Wind-pollinated grasses are abundant worldwide which supports the idea that grass pollen allergies are the most frequent cause for allergic response. Meadow fescue is a member of the Subfamily Festucoideae which encompasses the most significant grass allergens (1).

Airborne transmission of Meadow fescue pollen produces itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing. Allergic reactions can occur with the consumption of certain foods by sensitized individuals. Patients with grass pollen allergies often have an allergic response to unrelated allergens such as garlic, tomato, peanuts, onion and some fruits.

Generally, grass pollen counts are elevated in the morning when the climate is dry and warm. Pollen counts are decreased after periods of rain (2). In temperate climates, meadow fescue pollen levels peak in the summer months (May through July).

Reference

1. Patterson, R. Leslie Grammar, Paul Greenberger and C. Zeiss. Allergic Diseases Diagnosis and Management. 4th ed. J.B. Lippincott Co.: Philadelphia. 1993. Pp. 121.
2. Korenblat, Phillip MD, H. James Wedner MD. Allergy Theory and Practice. 2nd ed. W.B. Saunders Co.: Philadelphia. 1992. Pp. 273.

CPT Codes

86003
LOINC: 6169-7

Contacts

Last Updated

2/27/2023